Philadanco pushes past color line in dance performances

Choreographed by Christopher L. Huggins, “Enemy Behind the Gates” will be performed during “Philadanco! at 45” on Oct. 24 at Governors State University’s Center for Performing Arts in University Park.

Choreographed by Christopher L. Huggins, “Enemy Behind the Gates” will be performed during “Philadanco! at 45” on Oct. 24 at Governors State University’s Center for Performing Arts in University Park. (Lois Greenfield)

When Joan Myers Brown began dancing, she was one of a kind. She continues to forge a path for herself and others via the Philadelphia Dance Company.

"I always say I don't have dance; dance has me," Brown said. "When I first started, it was during the era of segregation. I was the only little black girl in the ballet class. At that time, I said, 'If they can do it, I can do it.' The challenges of the work itself, I just love classical ballet."

Ten dancers will perform "Philadanco! at 45" on Oct. 24 at Governors State University's Center for Performing Arts in University Park. The 90-minute show celebrates the 45th anniversary of the modern contemporary dance company rooted in black traditions.

The program includes Philadanco's signature work, "Enemy Behind the Gates" by former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater member Christopher L. Huggins; Matthew Rushing's "Moan" and Dawn Marie Bazemore's "A Movement for 5" inspired by the Central Park Five.

"One of the things I like to do is give opportunities for young and emerging choreographers so they have a place to work, a place to grow and a place to fail. Everybody doesn't have to have a rousing success every time they create a work," Brown said.

"Philadanco! at 45" also features excerpts from New York-based Apollo Theater's "James Brown: Get on the Good Foot, a Celebration in Dance" including choreography by Ronald K. Brown, Thang Dao and Abdel Salaam.

"Everybody dances some kind of way. Even basic dance, it's a natural art form. People that can't dance like to watch dance. I know with Philadanco, I like to make sure people enjoy dance," Brown said. "I want the audience to be involved, to enjoy and to feel that it was a wonderful experience for them."

Brown was recognized for her contributions as a dancer, choreographer and artistic director with one of the 2012 National Medal of Arts awards, which she received from President Obama at the White House.

"When I first started, it was a project of black youngsters," said Brown of her Philadelphia School of Dance Arts that led to Philadanco's founding in 1970. "All the companies need to look like America. I am on a mission now to try to provide an opportunity for more black girls in classical ballet.

"Misty Copeland is a catalyst for that. Maybe people say it's OK to have a black ballerina or black ballerinas, not just black but Latino and Native American, not just a lily-white organization. My company is integrated. I'd like to keep it that way. It's healthy and it's American."

Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.

"Philadanco! at 45"

When: 8 p.m. Oct. 24

Where: Governors State University's Center for Performing Arts, 1 University Parkway, University Park

Tickets: $33 to $38; box seats are additional upon request; groups of 10 or more, students, seniors and patrons purchasing a flex package of one or more shows are eligible for discounts